Herb Patten will be teaching this session of IFR Ground School, which covers the aeronautical knowledge included in the FAA knowledge test (also known as the "written test") for the airplane instrument rating and meets the Aeronautical Knowledge requirements of Section 61.65(b). The course fee includes attendance, course materials, final examination, and certificate of completion. The final examination reproduces the content and format of the actual computer-administered FAA test. Pilots completing the course receive a graduation certificate and instrument instructor endorsement qualifying them to take the FAA instrument rating knowledge test as specified in Section 61.65(a).

SCFC is sad to see SQL Tower Manager Stacey Maye move on to other adventures. She was a great controller and a great friend to SCFC pilots. We urge all members to use extra patience when operating in San Carlos'
Class D airspace as the tower may be slightly short staffed until they find her permanent replacement.

When approaching to land, if the pattern is full or other flight paths don't allow for your immediate entry, you may hear "Remain Clear of Class Delta". Be patient, and safely fly your aircraft a short distance away from the airspace and circle gently. The rush never lasts too long and the tower controller will advise you when there's room for you to safely enter Class D and land. It's rare, but be sure NOT to enter SQL airspace when they tell you to remain clear.

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Safety

Securing the Aircraft For Wind and Rain

As winter turns wet, it is important that we all secure the aircraft after every flight, even on great weather days. It was sunny and calm for your flight, but 24 hours later the winds may be 30 knots with a torrential downpour of rain. Taking care of the plane means securing it for all of winter's weather.

Make sure all windows and vents are shut and re-install any exterior covers. Some older planes may have a tiny leak or two that justified the purchase of an aircraft cover, but it's up to you to make sure it's in place before the next storm. Lastly, ensure that your airplane is secured with taut lines and airplane knots. The awning hitch we use to tie down the airplanes will stay secure in winds, but only if you've made sure it was tight to begin with.

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Taxi like the Pros with Crosswind Taxi Technique

SCFC's syllabus makes sure that all of our student pilots understand the importance of using proper crosswind taxi technique to protect the aircraft during movement on the surface. It is easy for strong winds to catch ailerons and elevators, creating a real hazard to taxiing aircraft. Bank fully into a quartering headwind, and dive fully away from a quartering tailwind. These maneuvers should help with directional control and prevent against flipping. It's good practice to use full crosswind taxi technique at all times, so that your hands instinctively know where to go when you need it. It also sets you on the path toward better landings (see the cover article of the most recent AOPA Flight Training magazine.)

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Community

Member Profile: Ryan Helmericks

SCFC: When did you realize you wanted to be a pilot?

RH:
I was practically born in the back of a Cessna 180. Growing up in Alaska, many of my family members were pilots. Our summer cabin is only reachable by float plane and many of my first memories were swimming up to the pontoons of the planes coming to our cabin.

SCFC: What are your aviation goals?

RH:
My goal is to fly cargo for UPS or Amazon. Seems like a great job without dealing with passengers. Though, flying a float plane for a while or a Cessna Caravan in tight places seems way more fun. Actually, scratch the jet job, a float plane route in an otter from Key West to the Bahamas should do just fine.

SCFC: What is your favorite flying memory?

RH:
My favorite memory was actually from a flight just before my checkride. After doing some maneuvers near Byron, we did a touch and go at Livermore with a solid cross wind. I greased the one wheel landing and held it for a good length of the runway before taking off. Drew told me it was about as good as it gets, which was a great confidence boost going into my checkride.

SCFC: You just got your PPL! Congrats! How did it feel to become a Private Pilot?

RH: Getting that first checkride complete was a truly inspiring moment. It confirmed my excitement about the aviation industry and made my goals feel achievable.

SCFC: Who was (or will be) your lucky first passenger?RH: That will be my corgi, Waffles. He's a great co-pilot and is always
excited to jump in a plane and see what happens next.

SCFC: What are your interests outside of aviation?

RH: My girlfriend says I don't have any interests outside of aviation. It's definitely my most talked about subject. But my motorcycle, and really anything else that jacks up my insurance are interesting to me.

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Upwind Applications due Friday February 22

Help us get the message out to high school juniors in the SF Bay Area. Friday February 22 at 5pm is the last day to turn in the Upwind Summer Scholarship application. This great scholarship has been changing lives for young people in the SF Bay Area for over six years, and we hope to find the right young people to represent the program in 2019. For more information, attend the Upwind Open House and Info Session at SCFC this Saturday at 2pm.

We take great pride in being the best flying club in the SF Bay Area. Our focus on safety, community, and adventure guide us in all our decisions. Our passion for building community and sharing the love of flying with others leads us to announce a Philanthropy Flight discount for SCFC member pilots. If you are a member of one of the local aviation charitable organizations that offers flight assistance for people or animals facing medical urgencies, or if you just want to fly Young Eagles flights with the local EAA chapter, we want to help. Mark your flight as Philanthropy in the scheduling system and receive a discounted rental. It's our way of thanking you for making this club great! Talk to the front desk for more details.

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Fly Like a Girl: Learn More About Angel Flight West

Feb 6 (Wed), 7:00pm

In this safety seminar, a collaboration between San Carlos Flight Center Fly Like a Girl (FLAG) and Angel Flight West, we will explore the extra pressures pilots experience when other people are relying on them. Presenters Mark Merrill and Josh Olsen will draw on their experiences as Angel Flight members to share how to recognize external pressures and how to manage them.

Angel Flight West is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization that arranges free, non-emergency air travel for children and adults with serious medical conditions and other compelling needs. For more information, go to http://www.angelflightwest.org/

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Adventure

Welcome FOG Planning Czar - Dave Kramer

For over a decade, the SF Bay Area FlyOutGroup has created fun flyout events and adventures for local pilots. We've been to air museums, air force bases, airport control towers, Class B airports, and airports all over the country. You name it, FOG has been there.

This year, we welcome a new FOG leader, as Dave Kramer turns from a life as a physician to one as event manager for the Bay Area's coolest pilot group. Please welcome Dave as the new FOG Czar! He's got lots of fun events planned for 2019, but there's room for your ideas too. Email Dave at
dave@sancarlosflight.com to offer to co-plan the next great flying adventure, and be sure to say "Hi" at the next Full-Moon Flyers dinner flight.

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FlyOutGroup Copperstate Fly-In

Feb 8 - 10 (Fri - Sun)

FOG is going to the COPPERSTATE Fly-In at Buckeye Municipal Airport (KBXK) in conjunction with the Buckeye Air Fair on February 9 & 10, 2019. We anticipate that the 2019 COPPERSTATE Fly-In will be our largest attended yet.

ATTENDANCE & PARKING ARE FREE!

Along with our traditional features such as: Educational Forums, Aircraft Displays, Aviation Vendors, Youth Activities and much more, this year there will also be an Airshow!

Join us for a weekend of FREE FUN for the entire family! Featuring a two-hour Air Show beginning at Noon each day! See vintage and military aircraft, action-packed demonstrations, AZ SciTech exhibitions, live entertainment and much more!

Feb 19th is the Full "Snow" Moon but who can fly on a Tuesday night? This year we will hold the Full Moon Flyer Flight on Saturday February 16th and meet at Nancy's Airport Cafe at 7 pm. This awesome flight offers a ton of learning experiences, as well as good food.

Each month, several FOG pilots take part in the Full Moon Flyers dinner flight. Some are out of night currency, so they fly alone or bring along a CFI. Some are night current and bring along a friend. Some are student pilots with their CFI, fulfilling the night cross country requirement in a more fun and social way. So come along and join us for a social group dinner, followed by a beautifully moonlit flight back home.

Please sign up so we can get an accurate headcount and keep you in the loop with updates. Ridesharing is encouraged, so be sure to list any open seats, or contact someone you'd like to ride along with.

Taking the next step in your aviation journey can be daunting if you
're doing it alone. So what could be better than giving yourself that confidence boost and getting a discounted rate for doing it? Join us as we kick off our next round of IFR Ground School March 14. If you bring a friend, each of you will receive a $25 discount on our regular pricing.